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Draw My Life!

9:00 AM

Hi everyone! While you read this I will likely be sleeping or packing in preparation for my month-long trip to South Korea with my family. As you can well imagine, things have been insane here trying to get everything ready and pre-recording videos so that you guys won't be left alone while I take my vacay, so I unfortunately don't have a Mani Monday for this week. (Two of the tell-tale gauges of being super stressed or busy for me is not keeping up with wearing lots of rings and how nice my nails look, ha!)

The GOOD news is that I have a video that I wanted to share that is really quite personal and is more open than I've ever been in the 5+ years that I've shared my life online. I shed a lot of tears and it took a lot of bravery to put my Draw My Life video together but I have to say, I feel a strange sense of relief to talk about some of the ups and downs that I've been through. Nobody's life is perfect or easy but I hope that some of you out there can relate to my story. :) You can watch the video below.

My journey online has always been very personal to me even though I know I've been fairly private about a lot of the details of my family, my work life, and where I'm from. I even kept my blog a secret from my friends and family for years because it meant so much to me that I didn't want anyone to think I was doing it for the wrong reasons. For me it's always been about connecting to others and trying to help people feel a little more beautiful and a little less of the loneliness that I felt so often growing up. Never in a million years would I have been able to anticipate my life changing the way it has because of this beloved hobby or that even more than 3 people (my husband and parents) would ever read my blog or watch my videos.

I'm not saying my life is simple now, but more than ever before, I truly feel like I am doing what God made me to do. I went as far as I could go by just "trying hard" with stressful days and sleepless nights, doing what I felt like the world was telling me I should do and somehow, I realized that nothing on Earth is really safe or certain. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and follow where you are led in your heart, or always regret it.

I can't end this blog post without the most important thing I wanted to say, which is thank you. I'm seriously so awkward and weird and uncool and you guys have always been right next to me to say LET'S ALL BE IMPERFECT TOGETHER and it's completely awesome and mindblowing. Seriously, for every comment, for each e-mail, like, follow, share, favorite, bookmark, every outreach, and every supportive thing you've ever said to each other as a community of people growing stronger because you or I or he or she chose to reach out that day, THANK YOU.

Aw darn, I'm crying again. Happy tears. Here's to 5 more years and 5 more lives touching 5 more lives and 5 more after that.

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I watched it a few days ago and I loved it! It's the first 'draw my life' vid I ever saw, and I think it's super cute ^^. Thanks for sharing your story Jen, it's very inspiring. I love the fact that you stayed true to yourself all this years and love your humbleness. Also I think your drawings are super cute! ^^

For the first time I managed to gather my courage and post a comment here.Jen, you are incredible, adorable, cute and so pretty, I can't believe there were people, who made fun of you or bullied you. They missed getting to know such a nice person and lost the chance of becoming your friends, so that makes them total idiots! I always thought, well, you are so cute and pretty, you must have been so popular in high school and college, but the truth is far from that. It always comes to the one thing - having loved ones, who support you, means million times more than being popular, rich or in the mainstream.Think about it - I'm not American, your good vibrations reached even to Eastern Europe. I'm from Poland and I wait for every post of yours. You inspire all of us by creating a piece of your own beautiful world and staying true to your ideals. Keep it going girl, be yourself and focus on the things, that are important to you, don't let anyone burst your own bubble. Hugs,Gosia

thank you for sharing your life with us, in such a special and creative way nonetheless! it mustn't been easy but here you are and that's what matters. i was actually wondering if you can talk a little about your times doing UI because I'm thinking about going into it myself... thanks and have a fun trip!

Wow! This is the second Draw My Life video and yours was very touching. My husband and I had a similar story like yours, except ours started in college. It's nice having someone that's supportive and understands us and just lets us be great. It sounds like you have an amazing support system and I hope you know now that you're a wonderful and beautiful, both inside and outside! Keep being great and know you have a lot of people that get you! :D

I just want to say you're fabulous and I can count on my fingers how many times I use the world fabulous. Your blogs and video always have a calming effect on me and I enjoy every single one. Your sweetness and sincerity manage to show through words! Thank you Jen.

Jen, I'm sitting at my office desk with tears literally running down my face. You are SO genuine and SO grateful and SO down to earth - you even respond to my emails! I started following your blog way back when (holla, soompi!) and to see it grow into what it is today...is just so incredibly inspirational. YOU DESERVE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent with us. You're one of my favorite bloggers <3

Aww Jen... You are anything else than uncool! You are such a beautiful, nice, warm and fun person! I seriously wonder, who can not like you? I looove watching your videos, you are so sympathic. And so talented! Before this video, I honestly thought you are a celeb make-up artist!

I absolutely LOVE this, Jen! This video was so captivating and fun to watch - you're a great artist! :D Even though we've never met, I feel like I know you like a good friend. Thank you for being so honest and sharing with us all of these years!! Much love <3

it's so happy to watch your video jen, and I never imagine that you are so talented in art (no doubt, your make up is great) but I was like 'how's great, I was like ag@&#%aj$£ when do some design' it makes me pull so much effort till I get the design, that I want of course. your video is absolutely inspirational. i also have a crush in art, drawing, singing, sewing, OMG, this makes me realize that i have a big dream, and i have to make it come true (eerr yeah, i started to cry while writing this comment), and your draw was giving me a big support that I also have talent and everythng that would be help me in every situation. thank you for making this video, jen <3

anyway, how did you record this video? I mean, with such close proximity? i wanna make one for my bf bday, and i want to try drawing our story :)tell me, if you dont mind

I LOVE this post!!! As an Asian girl growing up in Michigan, I can totally relate to feeling awkward and out of place. And not to be a damsel in distress but I can also relate to finding your best friend very young and feeling invincible with his love. Have a great time in Korea! xo Carolyn @ lifebyappointment.blogspot.com

Aww this was so emotional. I have tears in my eyes ;_; Such a great video and thank you for sharing it with us!! You are such a great and lovely person and even if we don't know in real live, I really like your blog. You seem to be such a kind and friendly person and I love to hear your voice, cause it's so calm and friendly. I think, even my husband likes to watch your tutorials when I watch them haha :DWe also married at our 7-years-being-together-day and soon it's our second wedding day, time runs so fast...I hope for many many years with you and your blog in the future!!Greetings ♥

Bawling at my desk...just WOW!! it's not easy to allow yourself to be vulnerable and flawed. You do it with such grace and sincerity that one can't help but be drawn in. Thanks for sharing your beautiful spirit with the blogosphere. as many have already pointed out, corny as it sounds, your posts make a difference. There is no power in the universe greater than love and you increase the world's quotient exponentially via the people you reach. I hope that God continues to lead you and bless you.

Have fun in Korea. You'll probably hit the beauty stores so interested in what you may bring back. I personally love the sheet masks from the store Too Cool for School and am interested/grossed out by the snail creams (I oscillate between the two). If in Seoul, the neighbourhood of Myeondong is a great place to hit all the crazy beauty stores. Last time I visited was 2 years ago so interested in seeing some photos. Great video as well.

Hello Jen, your very awesome!!! Your videos are very helpful for a beauty amateur like me. One of the questions, I have for you is do you cut your own hair and bangs? I've looked at a lot of videos from others on how to "self-cut" a layered hairstyle or "self-cut" bangs, and I wanted to know if you know how to "self-cut" your hair? If so, could you make a video tutorial on it. I feel like I could save a lot of money by not going to going to a stylists. Thank you.

I do self-cut bangs but I've never tried cutting all of my hair! I think I can give someone else a decent haircut (I cut my husband's) but I can't see the back of my own head very well which scares me! Hahaha. :)

Your "Draw My Life" is super cute and I feel like I know you now. I wish I could return the favor bc this seems fun but sharing my life story online just sounds kind of scary. You're a brave girl for following your heart. No regrets. Thank you very much sharing--you're such an inspiration.

love the draw my life! your life is so similar to mine it's uncanny! teased at school, met my hubby in highschool and married after college, making a hard job decision, doing filmmaking (though I've been also toying with the idea of youtubing)...it's always fun to know where people are coming from in life, and i think we all feel special to have the privilege to know you. your videos are always fun and inspiring, and you've helped me realize a lot of good things about myself. so THANK YOU. :)

Jen, I can't express how much I appreciate this post. It hasn't been long since I've found your blog, actually, it was last year. But I love it, follow it and watch every single video not just because I know nothing about makeup (haha) but also because I feel we could have been friends in other circunstances :)

You see... I am a skinny, christian, Japanese descendent Brazilian, Industrial Design Student, working with UX, who felt awkward and out of place for a very long time. Since you're a few steps ahead of me, I'm glad to have you as an inspiration ;)

Aw Jen! Making me cry too!Thank you for being willing to put yourself out there to encourage others!Thank you for being real when it would've been easier to be superficial!It is inspiring to know that you're more concerned about the quality of our lives than the quality of our makeup (though you care about that too Lol!)❤

Thanks so much for sharing this! It's the first Draw My Life I've watched. You've always been so incredibly talented and inspiring. I'm so glad I stumbled onto your blog several years ago. :] Have fun in Korea! (And California! I so miss it there; I'm hoping I'll get to make it back there someday.)

Jen, Jen, Jen!!If I’m asked to pick your best makeup so far, I’ll choose the one on April 2, 2011 posting.I’ve always looked for the makeup (bright, pastel, …) tutorial, cuz i'm not good at makeup.So I want to follow your tutorial. hehe :) Could you please upload the makeup, which is really same as that day, tutorial?If you can makeup using Urban Decay Naked palette, it’ll be great(cuz I have it, hehe), but even though you use other palettes, it’s fine as well.Please…. Could you?

i am your fan from indonesia. i love your work and hoping that you continue doing it. you helped a lot of women to love themselves and that is such a remarkable thing to do for living. wished you the best in life for now and the future.

loved this post! thank you for bring down to earth and realizing what is best for you and taking chances. it's to bad you found ui design a bit bland - but each to their own. I started in ui, found it wasn't my cup of tea but there were elements in ui design that kept me going back to .... so now im in ux specialized in interaction design.

Hey Jen! Thanks so much for sharing! I know it would have taken a lot of courage to do it. You are BY FAR my favourite beauty guru and I always look forward to your next video. I love that you are so honest and down to earth as well as talented. You're truly a blessing to us asian women by teaching us how to do looks that suit our eye shape. Keep up the awesome work :)))

Jen, wow you travel to Korea!!??Now I'm in the U.S. but I'd lived in Korea over 20 years!!I want to recommend you my favorite restaurants where I always visit whenever I go to Korea.1. Jinjoo Hwegwan(진주회관) at Seoul City Hall (Subway station: Seoul City Hall. Exit 9): Do you like 콩국수? 콩국수 in this restaurant is really popular among Koreans. So many celebrities have visited here as well.2. Miltop Bingsoo(밀탑빙수) at Hyundai Department (Subway station: Apgujeong): 팥빙수 here is one of the best in Korea.

I hope you to see this message soon. Also you can ask me anything you want to taste in Korea. I can recommend you really popular among native Koreans, not that expensive, and excellent restaurants.

Thank you for sharing your life! This is a great video. Since you are in Korea now, would you mind buying CC cream and do a review on it? I just get to know this product online and it seems to work amazingly!By the way, enjoy your trip in korea and please update us with your korea trip. Hope to experience a korea trip online. Haha... <3

I just watched your "Draw My Life" video and was surprised to find out that you're from Kansas and you attended KU! I grew up in Kansas and will be moving back there in 2 weeks. I am currently finishing up my senior year of college in Atlanta and I can completely relate to what you said about moving to LA. Like you, I was introduced to the wonderfulness of KBBQ and living in a big city when I first came to Atlanta (I'm so sad Kansas does't have KBBQ!).

Anyway, It's very rare that I meet other Kansans and I'm glad I watched your video!

Oh my gosh, I just found your videos and am loving them! Have you done one on undereye circles yet? Also, your teeth are perfect! I never notice teeth, but shazam lady!! Any suggestions? I'm sure people would love to hear!

Dear Jen, i am compleeeetely astonished with your drawing work (and i am working in graphic design!) and it's so nice to share a part of your life with us. You are SO talented. Bravo! Best whishes from Paris! Jo.

Dear Jen i was so excited when i start watching the video, that i wrote to you right away, and i just found out (when i watch teh reste of the video) that you are actually a designer! I understand now why you can draw so easily! :-) Have a nice day! Jo.

Jen: Thank you for sharing your life story. It was heart-warming and profound. I'm glad that I came across your blog, and to be given the opportunity to know you and to learn from you. It's wonderful to meet someone who is humble, personable, kind, generous, expressive, and authentic. Please continue to share your creative and artistic talents.

Oh, by the way, I don't know if you've ever came across this site, but at www.paulaschoice.com, the author has conducted research with her team on skincare products and some makeup brands, with her reviews on them as well (although, the makeup reviews are somewhat limited).

This post of yours is awesome beyond words and of course, touching... Oh my god... I am so happy that I came across your blog/videos about 1-2yrs? back and I love it. You inspired me a lot with your makeup tutorials / your attitude towards life. You are awesome, Jen. Please continue with whatever you love to do.. Fighting, Jen!!

This is such a sweet video. Thanks for sharing your story.I'm from Singapore and I too am bilingual (English, mandarin, and also learning japanese now).I stayed in Australia for close to 4 years for high school so I could somehow relate to your story. But I met some amazing friends from there and despite us being in different countries now, I know these friendships are for a lifetime :)Didn't know you currently reside in California, been following your blog since the bratty boo tote post, which I also got, it's way too cute :PI'll be heading over to California for 4 months for a work and travel program next month, maybe I might catch you around on the streets. I'll definitely say hello if I do hehe :)

Wow seriously. u r so strong, adorable and lucky person. Ur video really touching me. Since I still in college life, I need that inspiration to achieve what I want in life such as career and love. Hopefully my ending also as beautiful as you. Amin~ ^^

Thank you for sharing your life through that absolutely adorable video. You are an amazingly humble and wonderful person who just exudes positive energy. Your video has brought me to tears! Lots of love and keep doing what you've always done : inspiring people and making them feel awesome :)

I have to say, I likely blew half my work day and the entire evening on your videos, arriving at this one last.

Maybe it has special resonance because that mobile UI / UX dream is mine, but girl... you've got a lovely soul, I am mighty glad you're following your dreams. Never thought I'd hop onto YouTube for Asian eyeliner tips and end the evening being reminded of what counts.

Your honest blogging has given me the courage to finally start my own blog. There is noone "in real life" that I can be 100% honest with, so maybe I could start here? Please, visit my blog and comment, so I don't chicken out from continuing? :) http://honestwithmyself.blog.com

About me

Hi, I'm Jen! I've been blogging and making youtube videos since 2008 and have loved encouraging others to feel beautiful in their own skin ever since. I hope you enjoy my beauty tips and reviews, style inspiration, and a bit of my life as a wife and mother!